A video showing police handcuffing and issuing a £100 fine to a woman for feeding pigeons in a small park sparked outrage. London Wildlife Protection criticized the London Metropolitan Police for arresting one of their volunteers who was feeding birds in Wealdstone Square, Harrow on January 7.
The woman, unnamed at the time, was seen in the video being taken away by multiple officers under the allegation of violating the Police Reform Act. London Wildlife Protection expressed concern over the treatment of their volunteer, labeling the police action as unfair and disgraceful.
Contrary to initial reports, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson clarified that the woman was not arrested for feeding pigeons but for refusing to provide her information for a fixed penalty notice. She was later released and handled by council officers.
The incident occurred when the woman, in her 40s, declined to cooperate with local authorities trying to issue the penalty notice, leading to her arrest for non-compliance with the Police Reform Act. Harrow Council confirmed that the woman had breached a Public Spaces Protection Order prohibiting bird feeding in the area, resulting in a £100 fine for non-compliance with the order.